Amsterdam, NY USA: Suspects in Buddhist temple burglary arrested

Michelle Kim
AMSTERDAM — Police say they have arrested two men in connection with the burglary of a Buddhist statue Tuesday.

David Rodriguez, 27, and Hector Martinez, 24, both of Amsterdam, are accused of stealing the Buddhist statue

Police believe the men are connected with other robberies in the area.

A CBS 6 viewer, Gerald Skrocki, sent in photos of the damage from the temple, saying eight statues were stolen, two of which were jewel-encrusted and imported from China. He added, “The donation box was broken into and cash taken as well as the theft of an amplifier and speaker system, and copper piping.”

Several stolen items have been recovered, but police are continuing to look for a third suspect, Harry Delvalle, who is believed to have fled to the Rochester area.